Debate over New York's school aid: What's a cut?

Syracuse, NY - School districts around New York are crying foul after learning this week that they're likely to receive less state aid this year than they had been promised.

But Gov. David Paterson and his administration are quick to point out that schools really aren't losing money; they're just receiving smaller boosts than they had expected. In fact, Paterson and his team point out that most districts will receive 5 percent more in state funding this year than they did last year.

"It is not a cut," Paterson said. "It is a reduction in scheduled increases."

It's also a matter of interpretation.

School districts expected to receive 9 percent increases in state aid this year. If Paterson's budget-chopping proposal sticks, the increase will be reduced to save the state $585 million this year and $844 million next year.

And while Paterson and his staff may bristle at the use of the word, school officials say the reductions are, in fact, cuts.

"Districts adopted budgets based on the aid that the state included in the budget it adopted in April," said Robert Lowry, spokesman for the state Council of School Superintendents. "Districts put together their budgets on that presumption. Now, the governor is saying we can't afford that; we're going to take back some of that money. You tell me? Does that sound like a cut to you?

"I respect the governor's forthrightness," Lowry continued. "I don't think he has taken cheap shots, but in the middle of the year, this is a cut."